My First Month as a New Yorker

Unless you've just discovered this blog, you're well aware that one month ago, I officially moved to New York City. I was reminded of this when I went to swipe my 30-day Metro Card yesterday and received the dreaded "insufficient fare" notice. I moved here on July 1st on a one way flight from Ohio, with one enormous suitcase (50 pounds exactly ask me how I know), one large duffel bag, my computer, and a dream. Feel free to never read this blog again after realizing that I actually type sentences that end like that.

In just one month I've found an amazing, albeit temporary, place to stay right across from Central Park, a block away from the express 2/3 trains, and Dunkin' Donuts adjacent. I've been on six interviews for six different but equally exciting-sounding jobs, and accepted an offer from one of them (I start Monday!).

I've eaten Shake Shack three times, gone to Long Island (Long Beach) for the first time, watched fireworks from the New Jersey waterfront, fell under the spell of Fishes Eddy, had my first Dallas BBQ margarita, and walked the Williamsburg bridge.

I bought two items of cat-printed clothing, ate naked balls at two different Meatball Shop locations, watched Willy Wonka on two different occasions in two different parks, walked the Brooklyn Bridge at night, found a place that serves an amazing gluten-free waffle, and visited Staten Island for the first time.

I've seen two different 9/11 memorials, had some amazing iced coffees, had a perfect day exploring Long Island City, stumbled upon 5 Pointz, found gluten-free "Cheetos" and attended the Post-Pride Party (it was free!) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I went to two botanic gardens in two different boroughs, had the most amazing baked Alaska (also a first), went to Governors Island for the second time to see Fête Pardiso, spent a touristy day in Lower Manhattan, saw a cloud shaped like a bunny and waited in line for Shakespeare in the Park tickets (I got 'em!).

Looking back on everything I did exhausts me, and I'm the one that actually did it all. I'm sure as I get more settled and start my job, my sightseeing will slow down a bit, but I don't ever want to lose my sense of wonder about the city. I'm going to still try to have adventures whenever I can, and my list of places to see grows every day. One of the most amazing things about the city is that it's constantly evolving and changing — I can't imagine ever actually running out of things to do.

It all still sort of feels like one big dream, but it's slowly sinking in that I actually live here now. It's ok if someone is busy one night or it rains on the weekend because I have my entire life to see and do the things I want to do. I miss my family and friends back in Ohio (of course), but now I get to experience the excitement of having visitors and showing the city I love to the people I love. I hope I never lose the sense of gratitude that I feel every single day that I get to call this amazing place my home.

I really am living the dream.